Who are the erotes in Jennifer Lynne's Gods of Love series? (Adult-rated excerpt)

Jennifer Lynne has just released SEX CLUB SECRETS, the third novella in her best-selling GLBTQ-themed GODS OF LOVE series. She explains how the idea came about for a series of short, stand-alone novellas with a common theme based on the erotes' myth:

When I was searching for a mythology that might work for an erotic romance idea called GODS OF LOVE, it was inevitable that I would look to the heights of Mount Olympus – the home of the ancient Greek gods – for inspiration. I found a group of winged gods called the erotes, and researching their myth has indeed been heavenly territory.

As with most mythological beings, there are many different versions of the erotes myth. The one that resonated best with me is that they are the children of Aphrodite and aspects of Eros, the primal god of desire. I was fascinated by the idea that eros, or "desire", is such a complex emotion that its various aspects can only be personified across several beings rather than contained in one.

While the erotic author in me applauds the idea of the greatness of eros, I also love the idea that the power of the erotes stems primarily from a woman (yep!), the Greek goddess Aphrodite, born of the sea. As the mother of the erotes, Aphrodite's subtle influence is evident throughout the GODS OF LOVE series, and in fact she will have her own story at last in IMMORTAL SEDUCTION (GODS OF LOVE 4) - out in April.

In the meantime, here's an Adults-only taste of new release menage a trois fantasy, SEX CLUB SECRETS, featuring Anteros, god of requited and unrequited love:

Helpless. Ella felt utterly helpless and vulnerable in this crazy position, and it should have had her screaming to get out. In the past it would have, but here in the privacy of this club she felt safer than she had in a long time. There were rules here, and security checks, and the people who came to Secrets would abide by those rules, however unusual or kinky their needs.

She could trust Anteros. She knew it in her heart, and it gave her the courage to relax into the moment. “If Kade were out there, watching, I wonder if he’d want me right now.”

Anteros laughed, a quiet chuckle that flowed over her skin and left goose bumps as effectively as that feather would, if only he would lean forward and touch its delicate end to her quivering flesh. “Look over there, my girl.” He gestured toward the doorway and she gasped at the sight of the handle turning.

“No, I don’t want anyone else to see—Kade! Um. You’re…Kade.” She must sound like a half-wit, repeating his name over and over, but she couldn’t comprehend that the subject of her imaginings was actually here in the room with them, right at the instant when her fanny was laid out like a Christmas turkey on a plate.

Sweat broke out on her forehead and she began to struggle against the bindings. “Kade, no, don’t stare at me! Anteros, please. Let me—”

“Shhh.” Her dark-skinned companion laid a gentle hand on her ankle. “He is not repulsed. Look at him.”

She couldn’t. It was impossible to meet Kade’s gaze. What would he think to see her trussed up like this? She stared instead at the window, biting her lip and willing herself not to cry. But then he stepped in front of her and his swollen penis was directly in her line of vision. It poked out of the gap in his trousers in a manner that was clearly far from revulsion.

“Do what he says, Ellie. Look at me.” His voice was familiar and gentle, yet the fingers that slipped under her chin and forced her gaze upwards were firm and uncompromising. When she finally looked into his eyes she read the truth in their brilliant depths. Not hazel right now. Green. Like the August birthstone, peridot. A hesitant grin decorated his face. “You've never looked more beautiful to me than right here in this moment. I want you, Ella Harris.”

Want to read more? SEX CLUB SECRETS is out now at:

Amazon (Kindle)

Smashwords (EPUB, PDF or Kindle)

All Romance ebooks (Kindle, EPUB or PDF)

Apple iTunes store (for iPad, iPhone, iPod)